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The Trout Diaries Podcast – Episode 1: Introduction

Welcome to the first of our TROUT DIARIES podcasts. New Zealand is a phenomenal place to fly fish for trout, many say the best in the world, but it’s also one of the most challenging. Many anglers have come here to live their dream of the Trout Eldorado only to come away beaten and humbled. This is because, as Charles Gaines wrote in his The Next Valley Over:

“In some places and at odd times trout fishing can be easy in New Zealand but typically and essentially it is more technically challenging and butt-kicking difficult than anywhere else in the world.”

This is just one of the reasons for these podcasts: to help you improve your fishing and, if you are coming from elsewhere in the world, to come prepared.

In subsequent episodes I will be brining you the best of New Zealand fly fishing: interviews with top guides, trout scientists, river conservationists, tips and tricks for what to do and what NOT to do here. I will take you with me on the road – the research trips for my trout books – and show you our diverse regions and how they differ through geography and seasons.

Another reason for these podcasts is to spread the word about conservation of our trout rivers which are under an unprecedented threat from industrial interests. The more anglers know about this the sooner the change in environmental awareness will come about. So please join us, let our voice be heard. The hour is late.

In the course of our journeys you will meet some of the characters who inhabit my books – the trout bohemians – and learn what makes them so passionate about fly fishing in New Zealand. You will gleam some of their river wisdom and experience. We will finish each episode with an audio excerpt from my books THE TROUT DIARIES and THE TROUT BOHEMIA (which will be out in August) to give you a literary taste of what it’s like to live the trout dream here.

There is always a danger in a writer writing about himself and his work so to begin with and, to forestall any self-indulgences on my behalf, here’s an interview about The Trout Diaries which Colin Shepherd did with me for his HOOKED ON FLY FISHING radio show.

So, sit back, pour yourself a glass of your favourite, and join us in living the trout fishing dream.

trout bohemia

“Trout Bohemia buzzes around the topic of obsessive-compulsive fly-fishing, darting and weaving and so dangerously fascinating that you daren’t look away.” James R. Babb, Gray’s Sporting Journal

"Derek Grzelewski writes like a dazzling impressionist. Trout Bohemia will make you think that fly fishing was just invented, and that every river is waiting to be explored for the first time." Marshall Cutchin, MidCurrent

“On the road again with dog and fly rod, Derek Grzelewski has gathered another wonderful collection of stories about love, life, rivers and trout. If you liked his Trout Diaries this one is even better.” Rob Sloane, FlyLife

“New Zealand … I love that place, and this book about it. I’m jealous of anyone who lives there, writes this well, and most of all, has this Bohemian trout fishing life there.” Dave Hughes, author, USA

Going to Extremes

Buy Signed copy here

“The book does a great job of hitting on what fascinates explorers … the horrors and the delights of dangerous and challenging environments. The writer is good at taking you into these situations. The stories are all great New Zealand tales that deserve to be told time and time again.” Booksellers NZ

"Beautifully written. I really like this book." Kim Hill, Radio NZ

"Grzelewski likes to live at the extremes; his passion and respect for the extreme shines through his very evocative writing." NZ Booklovers